Ok Folks, an update on my issue: I was on call with tech support (through a hotline number shared by Sophie - thanks Sophie!) for almost an hour.Nothing came out of it - the guy said everything looks ok on their side I was advised to check with Google to see if everything is ok with their servers!! This is a deal breaker for me - I don't think I will be with ST for long

I have the exact same problem with my Nexus 4. Text messages/emails/whatsapp etc show up with long delays. I have tried PNF with no success. Can't find any info on this forum or the google forum to solve the problem. Anyone else have any luck?

So the inbox message of please click this link to contact online chat was of no help. It's quite obvious that ST is closing down the ports shortly after using them. Why is there no real answeres posted, so everyone can see them?

"Ava: Thank you for using our chat support. My name is Ava, how may I assist you today?Joshua: Hello. Someone from the ST forums said to come hereJoshua: I am getting no push notifications or severely delayed like over 10 minutesJoshua: with google hangouts, gmail, ectAva: Is it happening when you are not using the phone?Joshua: Both using and not using.Joshua: they all come in right away on my tmobile phone.Joshua: but not on ST oneAva: I see.Ava: Is xxxxxxxxxx, the phone number that you are having trouble with?Joshua: yesAva: Let me check your account first.Joshua: okayJoshua: This is the post I am referring to. Seems several people are having this problem.Joshua: viewtopic.php?p=1418644#p1418644Ava: Your account is well provisioned.Ava: Thanks for providing the link.Ava: Anyway, this is happening when our system is congested.Joshua: This happens 24/ since I've had the service. It is always congested?Ava: Not all the time.Joshua: it appears that ST is closing down ports right after people use them instead of keeping them open to use these kind of services. Is that what it is?Ava: Please reboot the phone outdoors to refresh the network connection.Ava: No, it is not.Joshua: I've rebooted it at least once a day :/. This problem doesn't seem to go away.Joshua: Is it possible it could be a bad sim?Ava: We will need to speak with you directly to resolve your issue. Please contact us at 1-866-806-1840 opens daily from 8:00 AM to 11:45 PM EST and use the reference PIN. This PIN is valid for two weeks. Thank you for chatting with Straight Talk Wireless."

Of course calling them they have no clue either. I guess unless this magically fixes it self within the month I'm going back to Tmobile. It worked at least.

Hi jdsel. My name is Straight Talk Jhonally. Sorry that you’re having a problem. I’m going to try to help you now. We need to take this issue offline, so I can address it further. I will contact you directly with a private message. Thank you.